Apparatus jfor polarizing ultra-violet radiations



June 1929. w. 'r. ANDERSON, JR., ETAL 1.717.360

APPARATUS FOR POLARIZING ULTRA VIOLET RADIATIONS I Filed May 1, 1926 VEN I'OR 92W ATTORN EY Patented 18, 1929.

1 UNITED" S ATES PATENT: OFFICE.

WILLIAE '1'. ANDERSON, m, AND rarznnaro w. ROBINSON, or" NEWARK, NEWJER- SEY,'ASSIGNORS T HANOVIA CHEMICAL AND MFG. 130., OF NEWARK, NEW 1113- SEY, A COBPORATION'OF JERSEY. r

nragaarns 1'03 roLanIzrNG ULTRA-VIOLET nAnI'A'rr oNs.

Application filed May 1, 1926. Serial No. 105,909.

This invention relates to the application ofwell known physical laws for the production of polarized ultra-violet radiations for therapeutic purposes. I

5 It has been demonstrated repeatedly that polarized visible light has a more marked chemical, biological and physiological action than ordinaryheterogeneous visible light. the

results in some instances resembling such-as are obtained ordinarily by ultra-violet light alone.

Therefore the reactivity 06f ordinary therapeutic ultra-violet radiati n maybe considerably enhanced by a complete'o'r even partial polarization'of the ultra-violet rays. 7

Furthermore, there is a possibility of obtaining a selective reactivity with polarized ultra-violet light not obtainable with heterogeneous radiations, the results of this featui'e being that the scope of ultra -violet therapy may be considerably extended and the the promotion of undesirable side reactions.

- the lamp so as to obta the maximum polarization at the desired mitigated or very completely'avoided.

There are at present on the market no" equipment for pdlarizing ultra violet light.

i Even the classical Nicols prism does not serve for the ultra violet because the layerof balsam cement absorbs these rays. The two most practical methods for polarizing ultra violet light are by reflection at the polarizing angle from a transparent substance, preferably transparent to these rays, and by refraction at the polarizing angle thru a substance-which is transparent to ultra violet.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for polarizing ultra-violet.

light radiations by a novel combination. of quartz mercury vapor arc lamps in connection with mirrors, reflection gratings. refraction screens or combinations ofthese elements, to-

- other with other advantages as hereinafter sociated drawing,"in which Figure 1 is a die rammatieside view of a convention type 0 lamp, together with its stand, suspen ed grating and mirror.

Figure '2 is a similar but enlarged view of a lamp head and refraction screen.

5 tail.

an upright cylindrical support, minus its 'escribed and graphically-indicated in the as- Figure 3 is a plan view of a screen inade In the drawing the numeral 10 designates" counter weighted as indicated.

A horizontal bar 12 isslidableinthe frame 11, the same being provided with means for lengthwise movement actuated by a hand knob 13, and at one end of the bar ,is a p'ivotal connection 14 for a hollow hemispherical guard casing 15 containing a lamp holder 16 pivoted in the casing-at 17.

On the casing are connections 18 for elec.-- trical currents and calibrating means 19 for the same. A lamp 20, shown in Figure 2 is carried in the holder 16 or manually held in conformity with the purpose to which it is applied, all these several parts being shown as explanatory of the' methods and devices for attaining the presentpurposes.

A frame 21'is shown in Fig. 2% attached to the front of the lamp 20 and carried by the frame are a series ofi refraction screens 22,

inclined at a definite imanner to the axis of. V I

n the proper angle for wave length.

These refraction screens 22 are made of material transparent. to ultra-violet light- In Figure 3 is illustrated a screen 23' enclosed in a frame 24 and shown suspended in r as Figure 1- by cords 25'or like supports in front of the lamp casing 16, preferably between the quartzmencury arc lamp and subject undergoingtreatment.

These reflection screens or gratings 23am made of metalsor alloys, the-choice of which depends on'the quantity and characteristics oi? the desired polarized ultra-violet light,

and permit a wide range in their structure.

The reflection gratings may be composed of cross strips extending in one or a plurality of directions and of varying cross see tions, such assmooth and round, like wires,"

flat, like tapes or of jagged irregular formation, plated, sputtered or otherwise finished andmay be used in various combinations in the same instrument.

The mirrors 26, are adjustably supported by cords 27; these mirrors may be constructglass, Vioray, Corex or so that the light falls at the polarizing angle.

light to be obtained, as stated with reference to the grating.

The relation and position of the mirrors and screens with respect to each other and to the lamp is empirical and subject to experimental development; however, the known results are the attainment of a high degree of efficiency in the production of polarized ultraviolet radiation for therapeutical purposes hitherto not accomplishedby lamps of a simiwe claim as new and desire tosecure by Letlar character.

The beam of ultra violet light to be polarized is projected upon a transparent material such as -fused quartz, crystal quartz, Vitaelioglass arranged About 15 to 20% of the light is reflected, the remaining 85 to 80% being retracted and transmitted. The refracted light is largely polarized, the degree of polarization dependmg on the accuracy with which the incident light strikes the plate at the polarizing angle. The transmitted light is projected upon another plate also arranged so that the light strikes at the polarizing angle. T he already polarized light is not reflected, being transmitted thru the plate without change or loss. The non-polarized light is reflected to the usual extent but since the total amount ofjincident non-polarized light is much smaller than that on the first plate the amount reflected is insignificant. Consequently, the greater part of the light incident on the second plate goes thru the plate, the emitting light being more nearly 100% polarized. This process can be repeated until finally 100% polarization results. The employment of additional plates, provided of course that they do not absorb the rays will not in any way affect the intensity of the transmitted light.- It is understood of course, that substances highly transparent. to ultra-violet must 'be employed, forpolarized light can be be constructed including many modifications without departing from the general scope herein'indicated and denoted in the appended claims.

Havingthus described our invention, What tcrs Patent, is':

1. An apparatus'for producing ultra vielet rays for therapeutic purposes, comprising a mercury "Vapor arc lamp for generating ultra violet rays, a plurality of refraction gratings mounted on said lamp in the path of the ultra violet rays emitted there-.

from to polarize the ultra violet rays, and a mirror adjustably hung by cords from the lamp to further polarize ultra violet rays whiclnhave passed through the grating to thus increase the polarizing efliciency of theapparatus.

2. An apparatus for polarizing ultra violet rays 'for therapeutic purposes, comprising a mercury vapor arc lamp geiierating ultra violet rays, a" plurality of refraction gratings 

